Hydraulic lift for bath tubs



Feb. 5, 1957 c. c. CRISPEN HYDRAULIC LIFT FOR BATH TUBS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 27, 1952 s a 6 n T e N R m 6 0 3 V "u AH AAflAfl/AAAAAIAAAAANL m C A a w z M Z9 BY Feb. 5, 1957 c. c. CRISPEN HYDRAULIC LIFT FOR BATH TUBS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 27, 1952 I INVENTOR CLARENCE C. BRISPEN gz/zz ATTORNEY United States Patent 9 The present invention relates to hydraulic lifts and especially those designed for userby invalids, or feeble.

persons, to facilitate their entering and leaving an ordinary bath tub.

This. application is a continuation-in-part of. application Serial No. 166,465, filed June 6, 1950, now aban-- doned.

It is, anobject of this invention to. provide a portable lift for, the. useabove described which maybe easily and quickly. removed from the bath tub so that the tub may be used by personshaving 110 1166 d for the lifting device.

A further object, of the invention is to furnish a base platform having stabilizing arms for maintaining the platform in afiXed position in the tub, a pair of upstanding telescopingsl'eeves, one of which is mounted on the base platform, aseat mounted on the other of said sleeves, and means for moving the seat vertically relative to the platform.

Another object is to provide a device as above described wherein the seat may be swung out over the sides of the tub to facilitate entry thereon and is then adapted to be swung over the tub and lowered therein.

Another, object of this. invention is to provide a structure of the kind'described wherein a person resting onthe seat may be lowered into the water under his own control Still other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is aperspectiveview of the device as shown positioned in a bath-tub.

Figure 2is a side elevation of the device, portions of the structure being shown in section.

Figure. 3' is an enlargement of the upper portion of Figure 2.

" Figure 4 is-a plan view of the device.

Figure 5 is a rear elevational view of a modified form of the invention with someparts shown in cross section.

Figure 6 isa side elevational view of the lift of Fig. 5:.

Similar reference characters represent similar parts in the several figures.

Generally, the present invention comprises a platform 10, arr-upstanding sleeve 11 mounted at one end of. said platform, a second or outer sleeve 12. telescopically mounted on sleeve 11, anda seat 13 Whichissecured to the lower'end of the outer sleeve.

The platform is generally rectangular-in form and. in cludesa pair of spaced side members .14and 15 connected at -their ends by end members 16and17. The sides of the platform are adapted to fit between the side-walls of an ordinary bath tub, illustrated by the, numeral 18, restingon the hottorn and extending longitudinally there.- of; Thesemembers. I; prefer to construct out of rustresisting material which islightin weight yet having a great deal of strength. Material having a cross section of, a channelshape lpossesses suchcharacteristics. If de sired, sides14, 15and'end 17 ofthe device may be constructed in one integral U-shaped-piecehaving its free 2,779,949 Patented. Feb. 5, 19,57

ends connected,yasvby welding or the like, by member 16 which may'takethe forrnof L-shape stock. A cross bar 19. is. fixedly secured, to side members 14 and 15. in a position spaced from endmember 16. A base plate 20 is rigidly mounted, on cross members 16' and. 19 intermediate the ends thereof by means of bolts and nuts, or by welding. Thisbase plate has a female socket 21 formed therein which is adapted to receive the lower end of unstanding sleeve lltherein. The sleeve may be secured in the. female socket by welding to provide a waterproof connection. A tapped bore 22 is then formed. in one. side of base plate 20 and sleeve llproviding communication with the interior of said. sleeve.

Platform 10.is further provided with adjustable stabilizing means including a. pair ofspaced upstanding sleeve members 23 and 24, each being mounted at the juncture of cross bar 19. and sidemembers 14 and 15. A pair of goose-neck members 25 and 26. are adjustably mounted in sleeves 23 and'24 respectively. Each of the goose: neckssiuclude a vertical body. portion 27which is slidably received in sleeves 23 and 24. The free end. portion of each goose-neck, illustrated by numeral. 28, is adapted to engage theside ofibath tub 18 to prevent the platform from tipping. when. seat. 13 is swung out over the side of said tub. Connecting the body portion 27' and free.

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end portion 28. is an L-shaped. portion. having legs 29' and 30. The purpose of this leg 29 is to secure greater adjustability of the platform to wider bathtubs. Leg 30 is adapted to abut the sides. of the tub when in an ad; justed position. A set screw 31 is mounted in each of. sleeves. 23 and 241 and is adapted to secure each gooseneck in an adjusted position. It will be noted that body 27 of the goose-neck may be rotated or slidably positioned in the sleeve members and then secured by meansv of the set screw.

Theupper end of sleeve. 11 is provided with an end wall 32 which has an aperture 32a centrally arranged therein. Outer sleeve 12 is mounted to telescopically receivesleeve 11 and. isof approximately the same length. Outer sleeve 12 is provided with an end cap 33 which hasa tapped bore 34 centrally positioned therein. An air ventpetcock 35 is adapted to be secured in bore 34.

Figure 3 shows. the particular sealing mechanism which prevents water from leaking from the interior of the tubes past their telescopic connection. It consists of a. circular gasket 36 ofa rubber or other like material positioned on top of the end wall 32. A metal ring 37 is mounted on top of the gasket and secured by convenientmeans to the end wall. The periphery of gasket 36, is adapted to extend slightly beyond the periphery of sleeve 11 and into contact with the interior or sleeve 12.

Seat 13 is positioned at the lower end of sleeve 12 and as shown in plan is U-shaped in configuration. This providesfor convenience to the person sitting thereon and gives amaximum amount of support to the body and yet allows minimum coverage of the various parts of the body to be bathed. The base of the. Ushaped seat is attached by means of a sleeve clamp 38 to sleeve 12. This sleeve. clamp isof the usual type and includes a pair of, arm members 39 and 3b which are. integral at one end to seat 13 andtare secured together at their other end by spaced bolts 41 having appropriate nuts 42' secured thereon.

A threaded nipple 43 is positioned in tapped bore 22 in the baseplate. Sufficient pipe means 43:: is furnished to connect nipple 43, with a T-fitting 44. Water spigots 45- and 46 are mountedin the three passages in the T. Spigot 451 isprovided with externalthreads for coupling a Water hosethereto. Valve handle.47 therefore coin trolsvthe flow ofi water fromthe supply system into the interior of sleeve 11 while spigot 46 is for the purpose of draining the interior of the sleeves. In order to insure the complete draining of the apparatus prior to its removal from the tub, I prefer to include a small drain petcock 48 at the base of the inner tube.

The form of lift shown in Figures 5 and 6 diifers from that shown in Figures 1-4 in that a modified means of mounting in a tub is provided. The construction of the seat 13, the sleeves, such as 12, the base plate 20', the sleeve clamp 38' and the associated elements of the lift proper is the same as the construction of the like elements in the device of Figs. 1-4. Like elements are indicated in Figures 5 and 6 with the same reference characters as used in Figures 1-4 with the addition of the suflixed prime.

Base plate 20 instead of being mounted on cross members such as 16 and 19, is rigidly secured to flange or platform 60, which may be secured to or form a part of a connecting bracket 61. A reinforcing structure comprising ring 62 and gussets 63--64 may be secured to cylinder 12', base plate 20 and flange 60. Flange 60 is provided with a suitable opening for operation of a drain petcock like petcock 48.

Bracket 61 has a second flange 65 at one end thereof. Flange 65 is provided with vertically extended slots 66 for receiving bolts 67. Bolts 67 are mounted in a block 68 in any convenient manner. Block 68 may be of wood or other suitable material and is adapted to be fastened to a wall or other supporting means by bolts 69. When the lift is placed in a tub flange 65 is positioned to receive bolts 68. Washer 70 and wing nuts 71 are then applied to bolts 68 and the lift is secured in position. By removing the wing nuts and the washers the lift can easily be removed from the tub.

The operation of the lift is extremely simple which is of course of prime consideration when dealing with invalids and elderly persons. It is preferable to use a rubber mat of some kind in the bottom of the tub before placing platform It or flange 60 thereon. Once the device of Figs. 1-4 is placed in the tube it is but necessary to adjust goose-necks 26 so that portions 30 and 28 abut the side walls of the tub and set screws 31 are fixed in position. Then spigot 45 is opened and water flows into the interior of sleeve 11. After sleeve 11 is filled most all of the air will be exhausted through the air vent petcock which is then closed. Water flows on through aperture 32a into the interior of sleeve 12. This raises seat 13 to a position above the side of bath tub 18 and it is then swung over one side thereof. Spigot 45 is then closed and the person can sit on the seat. seat may be raised higher so that the persons feet will clear the sides of the tub as they are swung into a position directly over the platform.

At this point it should be noted that as an overrun safety provision I have provided the outer tube 12 with an aperture 49 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing. This aperture is so located that it will pass the washer 36 at the top of the inner tube before the outer tube has traveled high enough to lose the proper support for the seat or rise 01f of the inner tube entirely. Obviously this feature permits an automatic stop means for the assent of the structure and eliminates the possibility of accident.

Spigot 4-6 is then opened and Water in the sleeves is permitted to drain into the tub. As this occurs the seat gradually descends into the tub until its lowermost position is reached. When the individual has finished the bath, it is but necessary to close the drawn spigot 46 and open supply spigot 45. The Water pressure in the supply line raises the seat to a desired height. Then the spigot 45 is shut off. Next, the seat is swung over the side of the tub. For convenience the drain spigot can be opened allowing the seat to come to rest on the top edge of the bath tub side. This provides ease in getting off of the seat into a wheel chair or the like. The whole assembly If desired the may then be lifted out of the tub and placed in a convenient location so that the tub may be used for ordinary bathing purposes.

The device of Figs. 5 and 6 is operated in the same manner as that of Figs. 14. The modified form of Figs. 5 and 6 is, however, connected to block 68, as described, and vertical adjustment is provided by slots 66.

It will be seen that I have provided a bath tub lifting assembly which is simple in construction and operation. The motive power is derived from the ordinary water supply system, the amount and rate of power being easily controlled simply by opening or closing a valve. The device of Figs. l4 is easily adjusted to variable size bath tubs by means of the goose-necks connected to the platform and adapted to abut the sides of the tub. The complete device may be readily removed from the tub when the latter is to be used for ordinary bathing purposes.

While I have shown and described a preferred form of my invention, it will be understood that variations in details of form may be made without departure from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A hydraulic lift for a bath tub comprising a platform adapted to rest in the bottom of said tub, upstanding arms mounted on said platform for abutment with the sides of the tub, an upstanding sleeve mounted on the platform, a second sleeve having a seat thereon telescopically and rotatably connected to the first mentioned sleeve, and means for introducing water into one of said sleeves for causing one sleeve to move relative to the other.

2. A hydraulic lift for a bath tub comprising a platform arranged to rest on the bottom of said tub, adjustable arrns mounted on said platform for abutment with the sides of said tub, an upstanding sleeve mounted on said platform the upper end of which has an opening therein, a second sleeve connected to the first mentioned sleeve in telescoping relation, said second sleeve being rotatable about said first sleeve, a seat on said second sleeve, and means for introducing water from a source of supply into one of said sleeves for causing relative telescoping movement.

3. A hydraulic lift for a bath tub comprising a platform adapted to rest in the bottom of said tub, a base plate mounted on said platform having a socket therein, an upstanding sleeve mounted in said socket, a second sleeve telescopically connected to said upstanding sleeve, a seat mounted adjacent the lower end of said second sleeve, the upper end of said upstanding sleeve being provided with an opening therein, an air vent petcock mounted in the upper end of said second sleeve, and means for introducing-water into the interior of said sleeves including an aperture in said base plate aligned with an aperture in the lower end of said upstanding sleeve.

4. A hydraulic lift for a bath tub comprising a rectangular platform adapted to rest in the bottom of said tub, stabilizing means mounted at each side of said platform for abutment with the side walls of said tub, said stabilizing means comprising an upstanding portion, a member connected to said upstanding portion, said member being horizontally and vertically adjustable with respect to said upstanding portion, said member being adjustable so as to engage the side walls of said tub, a pair of telescoping sleeves, means mounting one end of one of said sleeves in an upstanding position on said platform, and means for causing one sleeve to move relative to the other.

5. A hydraulic lift for a bath tub comprising a platform arranged to rest on the bottom of said tub, adjustaable arms mounted on said platform for abutment with the upper portion of the side walls of the tub, a pair of telescoping sleeves, means mounting one of said sleeves in an upstanding position at one end of said platform adjacent said adjustable arms, said one sleeve having an aperture in both the lower and upper ends thereof, the other of said sleeves having a seat at the lower end thereof and an air vent petcock at the upper end thereof, means for introducing water in the aperture in the lower end of said one sleeve for causing said seat to rise vertically.

6. A hydraulic lift for a bath tub comprising a platform arranged to rest on the bottom of said tub, adjustable arms mounted on said platform for abutment with the upper portion of the side walls of the tub, an upstanding sleeve mounted on said platform the upper end of which has an opening therein, a second sleeve surrounding the first mentioned sleeve in telescoping relation, a seat on said second sleeve, said seat being rotatable relative to said first sleeve, means for introducing water from a source of supply into the lower end of said upstanding sleeve for causing said second sleeve to move upwardly, and drain means permitting said secondsleeve to move downwardly.

7. A hydraulic lift for a bath tub comprising a platform arranged to rest on the bottom of said tub, adjustable arms mounted on said platform for abutment with the upper portion of the side walls of the tub, a pair of telescoping sleeves, means mounting one of said sleeves in an upstanding position at one end of said platform adjacent said adjustable arms, said one of said sleeves having an aperture in both the lower and upper ends thereof, the other of said sleeves having a seat at the lower end thereof and an air vent petcock at the upper end thereof, means for introducing water in the aperture in the lower end of said one of said sleeves for causing said seat to rise vertically, and means for limiting the vertical rise of said one of said sleeves.

8. A hydraulic lift for a bath tub comprising a platform arranged to rest on the bottom of said tub, adjustable arms mounted on said platform for abutment with the upper portion of the side walls of the tub, an upstanding sleeve mounted on said platform the upper end of which has an opening therein, a second sleeve connected to the first mentioned sleeve in telescoping relation, said second sleeve being rotatable relative to said first mentioned sleeve, a'seat on said second sleeve, means form adapted to rest in the bottom ofsaid tub, means for securing said platform to a wall comprising a block to said platform and adapted to be removably attached to said block, an upstanding sleeve mounted on the platform, a second sleeve having a seat thereon telescopically and rotatably connected to the first mentioned adapted to be attached to a wall and a flange connected sleeve, and means for introducing water into said sleeves causing onesleeve to move relative to the other.

10. A hydraulic lift for a bath tub comprising a platform adapted to rest in the bottom of said tub, and upstanding elements connected to said platform for abutment with said tub, a generally vertically extending sleeve mounted on the platform, a second sleeve having a seat thereon telescopically and rotatably connected to the first mentioned sleeve, and means for introducing water into said sleeves for causing one sleeve to move relative to the other.

11. A portable hydraulic lift for a bath tub comprising a platform adapted to rest on the bottom of sa-id tub, a connecting bracket secured to said platform, said bracket comprising a member extending upwardly and outwardly from said platform, said bracket having a flange means spaced upwardly and outwardly of said platform, means for attaching said bracket flange means to a supporting means fixed relative to said tub when said platform is positioned in said tub for maintaining said platform in a' fixed position, an upstanding sleeve mounted on the platform, a second sleeve having a seat thereon telescopically and rotatably connected to the first mentioned sleeves, and means for introducing water into said one of said sleeves to cause the one sleeve to move relative to the other.

12. A hydraulic lift for a bath tub comprising a platform adapted to rest in the bottom of said tub, an upstanding sleeve mounted on said platform, a second sleeve having a seat thereon rotatably connected to the first mentioned sleeve, said second sleeve being rotatable to move said seat over the edge of said tub when said seat is above said edge of said tub, means for introducing water into one of said sleeves for causing said second sleeve to move relatively to the other sleeve and raise said seat above said edge of said tub, means for removably maintaining said lift in a fixed position in said tub with a load placed on said seat when said seat is over said edge comprising an element connected to said lift and extending outwardly from below the top of said sleeve, means on said element for removably fixedly securing said element to a member fixed with respect. to said tub.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 245,544 Morgan Aug. 9, 1881 1,268,816 Buchner et al June 11, 1918 1,552,326 Lunati a Sept, 1, 1925 1,950,030 Hawes Mar. 6, 1934 1,982,245 Feulner Nov. 27, 1934 2,087,286 Hicks July 20, 1937 2,563,912 Belinlcin Aug. 14, 1951 2,582,586 Dorr Jan. 15, 1952 2,679,890 Zannoth June 1, 1954 

